ALL-TIME SERIES

This week’s game between the Buccaneers and the Jaguars marks the eighth consecutive preseason meeting between the two teams. Tampa Bay prevailed in the first two preseason meetings, 20-0 in 2002 and 10-6 in 2003. Jacksonville then won the next five meetings, 14- 6 in 2004, 20-17 in 2005, 29-18 in 2006 and 31-19 in 2007 and 23-17 last season.

The Buccaneers and the Jaguars have squared off four times in the regular season, with the Jaguars holding a 3-1 advantage in the series. In their first ever meeting, RB Errict Rhett led the way with two rushing touchdowns and the Buccaneers won 17-16. The Jaguars won the next two matchups in Jacksonville in 1998 and in 2003. In 2007, the Jaguars earned their first regular season win at Raymond James Stadium with a 24-23 victory. CB Aaron Glenn returned an interception for a touchdown and WR Matt Jones hauled in the game winning touchdown pass for the Jaguars.

This game is being billed as the “name the starter game” for first year head coach Raheem Morris, but for either Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown to be dubbed the starter heading into the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, it’s imperative that one of them step up big time.

The amount of mental mistakes and lost opportunities in the teams first pre-season contest, leaves doubt that either one could potentially lead the team to a winning campaign in 09′.

What could further cloud the situation is that should McCown catch fire, while Leftwich has a dismal showing it will only cause a dilemma for the coaching staff in deciding which players gives the team the best chance to win, which only further illustrates the point that if you think you have two or three quarterbacks you don’t really have any.

Injury Update: The Bucs have announced that several injured players are not traveling with the team and have been ruled out against the Jaguars, including safety Will Allen (shoulder), center Jeff Faine (groin), wide receivers Dexter Jackson (ankle) and Antonio Bryant (knee surgery), and tight end John Gilmore (undisclosed).

Kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring) isn’t expected to play in Saturday night’s game, and running back Earnest Graham (ankle), defensive end Gaines Adams (ankle) and linebacker Rod Wilson (hamstring) are expected to be game time decisions.

Recently suspended starting safety Tanard Jackson and cornerback Aqib Talib, who was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors counts of assault and resisting arrest on Thursday morning, are both expected to play tonight vs. the Jaguars.